Michael grabbed my hips and slipped me off the counter. I stood in front of him and watched as he slid my jeans down my legs. He kissed my stomach, caressing the marks left from bearing his children. He rubbed my hips and slipped his hands between my legs to caress my inner thighs. He simply loved me, and he showed me by giving attention to the parts of my body that made me self-conscious.
"Michael, I appreciate what you're doing so much, but if you don't touch me where I want you to touch me soon, I'm going to combust. Get me in that shower,now," I said with authority.
"Yes, ma'am," he quipped. He picked me up again, knowing I'd always loved his strength and ability to carry me around, even at my heaviest, swollen with our children. He stepped into the shower and the hot spray hit my hair.
I grabbed the shampoo and motioned for him to turn around so he could lean his head over for me to wash. He took the shampoo from me. "I've dreamed of your body. I had a shower this morning. This is for you," he said. "Turn around, Riley Effler."
Yes, sir. I turned and shook my hair. He removed the detachable shower head and soaked my hair thoroughly before washing it. He massaged my scalp as he washed, making my body relax.
He reached around me and massaged my breasts. His hands, covered in the slippery soap, were silk on my skin.
Grabbing the shower head again, he rinsed the soap out of my hair and turned me toward him. I plucked the soap from his hands and washed my face, not trusting anyone else around my eyes, not even my Michael. He took the bar when I was done and ignored the washcloth I offered him.
"I'm going to wash you with my hands," he said, voice raspy. "I want to feel every inch of your body." He soaped up his hands and began at my neck, rubbing and soaping me up. After washing my shoulders, he turned me and rubbed his hands across my back.
He reached around and spent more time lathering my breasts with his front pressed against me. My knees knocked together, and I threw my head against his chest.
He grabbed the bar again and soaped his hands. Washing my underarms, he massaged his way down both arms, then down to my sides. It tickled, so I jumped and let out squeals. When he reached my hips, he washed my curves. I bent forward slightly as he kneaded my cheeks, eliciting moans from me. He knew I'd always loved attention on my buttocks.
He soaped up again and ran his hand between my cheeks. I bent forward more, grabbing the faucet on the tub to keep my balance, back arched.
His hands glided along my legs, spreading the bubbles up and down my thighs. Every time he reached the apex of my thighs, he squeezed and moved down.
"Michael!" I squealed. "Please!"
He stood up, and his hand finally went between my legs. "Michael, if you don't make love to me right now, I'm going to hurt you. I could probably do it now. I'm tough, remember?" I looked up at him standing over me. He wanted to, as much as I needed him.
I watched over my shoulder as he rinsed his hands in the shower stream. After rinsing my body, he put one hand on my hip. I wanted to weep. Finally, satisfaction.
As it was, healwayssatisfied me. Since my night with Elias and Anthony though, something was missing.
"Michael, if you want to bite me, you can. I think I would like for you to."
"Not tonight, Riles. I just want to love you," he replied, voice strained. I looked at him again to see his face, a mask of concentration.
"Take me to the bedroom, Michael." I stood and turned off the shower. He stepped out and handed me a towel to wrap my hair.
Scooping me up bridal style, he carried me to the bed with his supernatural speed. It was exhilarating. He stopped at the bed and placed me down as smoothly as he had our babies when they were newborns. The obvious love made this reunion all the more intimate and special.
I stroked his chest as he came out of his stupor, soothing the scratch marks I’d left there. He leaned down and kissed my forehead and cheeks until I tilted my head up so he could kiss my lips. I was cocooned with love as he curled his body around mine. I hopped up and went to the bathroom to clean up and put on some undies before climbing onto the bed and snuggling into him, spoon style.
Chapter 11
The sunshine woke me. Before my eyes opened, I was home, and none of the horrible events of our lives happened. Then reality set in, and I was staring out the hotel window at a bright beautiful day. I was disoriented and couldn't figure out where I was or why I was there.
“Good morning, baby,” Michael murmured. I rolled over and stared at him. We relished the opportunity to study each other's faces after so long. Abruptly, he jerked upright, looking around warily, hearing something I didn’t.
Elias poked his head in the door. “Safe to come in?”
I smiled at his handsome head seemingly floating in the doorway. “Come in, Eli. We aren’t fornicating or anything.”
Elias was pushed into the room by Anthony, whose eyes were bright in his pale face. His eyes zeroed in on me as I got out of bed, belatedly realizing I’d never put a shirt on.What’s with me forgetting I’m naked lately?I didn’t even have alcohol to blame it on.
I froze as my mind processed the severity of Anthony’s expression. For the first time, he truly looked like a vampire, with his dark hair enhancing the light hue of his skin. I pulled away as he advanced but changed my mind. He’d never hurt me.
He stopped, toe to toe with me, eyes boring into mine. Putting his arms around me, he leaned me into a dip to rival the most accomplished salsa dancer.
His lips found mine, and he kissed me with no thought to our audience, not even when one of them—I assumed Michael—let out a growl-like sound. Breathless, I moaned his name as his lips moved to my neck and his teeth sank into my skin.
